<p>What is the student body like at Carleton? Is there a lot of social and political activism or community service? Are students religious? I know that Carleton is a rigorous school, but does academics take over your life?</p>
<p>My son is a freshman at Carleton. While the academics do require your time, effort, and attendance ;)…he has found plenty of time to get involved in several campus activities. It’s all about pacing yourself and balance.</p>
<p>I would say that at least part of the student body is very socially and politically active based on his involvement and on what we’ve read in the Carletonian. For instance, they just had a fast/fundraiser for victims in Dafur. There have been Katrina relief efforts. There is even a group called CARDS that is protesting the company that holds the dining contract because of “corporate irresponsibility” in having interests in private prisons…although they are denying these allegations. These are just off the top of my head. </p>
<p>I have also seen Yom Kippur events posted on their calendar, and there is a chapel. I’m not sure how many students actively practice their religion, but there is the ability to do so.</p>
<p>Texastaximom - good to hear from you! Can you ask your son if Carleton still has a sailing club? There’s a website for it, but it looks a bit out of date.</p>
<p>I’ll have to ask him about that. He said that most of the links were old or broken for a lot of the activities. grrr. Sounds like they need a webmaster!</p>
<p>He’s joined a group of 60 “Assassins” in which they go around with nerf guns and alarm clock bombs trying to bump the others off. He’s not very good–has been bumped off twice now. He’s also trying his hand at Ultimate, but thinks he may have better luck during broomball season. :)</p>
<p>I’ll ask for ya.</p>
<p>texastaximom summarized the student body fairly well.</p>
<p>There is a population of the campus that is religious and if you are, you can be sure you can practice your beliefs with others, though I think that the very religious people are a minority here.</p>
<p>This school is very rigorous academically, however, I would hardly say academics take over your life. The school has a very strong “work hard play hard” philosophy and while we may spend a lot of time on their academics, we do manage to have a lot of fun.</p>
<p>BTW Texastaximom does your son happen to be named Matt? If so then I know him from my poli sci class :)</p>
<p>Yeppers. Matt is mine. :)</p>
<p>Fireflyscout—son is not sure about the sailing club, but apparently the canoeing club is active.</p>
<p>Thank you, texastaximom! Carleton is definitely one of my daughter’s top choices (and my choice for best fit). </p>
<p>Do they serve a lot of Malt-O-Meal there? How is the food? D is also curious about lutefisk.</p>
<p>According to son the food is edible, although cookies from home are always welcomed. I always associate lutefisk with Advent for some reason. We used to live in Rockford, IL where there is a large population of Carlsons, Olsons, Larsons and Nielsons. My guess is that you could find it, particularly since St. Olaf’s populates the other half of Northfield. I think son is more used to red fish on the grill rather than cod treated with lye. </p>
<p>At any rate, our “fit” experience with Carleton has been positive. Son didn’t visit until after his acceptances, which is when he discovered that a bigger research uni just wasn’t for him, and that being close to a city was actually better than being smack dab in the middle of one. He was actually leaning towards Northwestern (visited Northwestern and U Chicago the day before) but had that “eureka” moment after spending an overnight at Carleton. He said it was the student body that swayed him–so much so he canceled his visit to Pomona.</p>
<p>They serve Malt-O-Meal cereals in the dining hall daily and Malt-O-Meal, like, the actual stuff, a few days a week. Chocolate Malt-O-Meal sometimes, too. Super yummy.</p>
<p>fireflyscout: Yum, the smell in the air when the chocolate Malt-O-Meal is being processed! My soph D had the typical frosh work study assignment in food service. Consequently, her opinion of the food is lower than most. She doesn’t dare touch any cooked meat product, opting for deli meats instead. She mainly survives on all-you-can-eat humus, peanut butter, rice, fruits/veges, salads, cereals, yogurt, breads, and pasta when the dining hall has it. Go get or order in pizza and subs are also staples. And the Tavern Restaurant is relatively cheap coming from a metropolitan area. I had a full breakfast there for $3.75. She and roomie have a frig, so she opts to eat breakfast in her room. Nearest grocery store is walking distance.</p>
<p>D’s sense of “fit” was immediate. She “felt” it when researching on paper, and was completely sucked in upon visiting in Sept. of senior year after seeing every comparable selective east and west coast LAC (we’re west coast). She’s likely to be a chem major with a biochem concentration (not interested in pre-med). She has truly found her niche and nirvana there. During her first winter break (last year), she kept saying she had to get back “home”. Broke my heart on the one hand, but bouyed my spirits to know she is really happy there.</p>
<p>Best of luck to your D. Keep us posted!</p>